Betting tips from AI for Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors, 08 January 2026.

This matchup feels closer than the lines imply. DRatings and FOX Sports lean Toronto in a low-scoring battle, but the Raptors lose Jakob Poeltl, which dents their rim protection. Charlotte has been hot lately — a 6-5 stretch with signature upsets and an 8-2 ATS run over their last 10 — even with Mason Plumlee out and Ryan Kalkbrenner questionable.

Forebet gives the Hornets a 52% home upset chance, which looks like value against the market odds of 2.10 on Charlotte and 1.77 on Toronto. Given Toronto’s injury to Poeltl and Charlotte’s recent form and cover history, I’ll back the Hornets for positive expected value.

This NBA clash presents a fascinating betting scenario. The Toronto Raptors come in as road favorites at 1.77, with DRatings projecting a tight 116-113 victory, emphasizing their stingy defense. FOX Sports experts also lean towards a Raptors cover and an under, eyeing a 116-114 Toronto win in a gritty battle.

However, the Charlotte Hornets are not to be underestimated. They are riding high after stunning the defending champions earlier this week and boast an impressive 6-5 record over their last 11 games, including upsets over OKC and Chicago. Crucially, they've been a bettor's friend lately, going 8-2 against the spread in their last 10. While Raptors center Jakob Poeltl is sidelined, the Hornets also face frontcourt issues with Mason Plumlee out and Ryan Kalkbrenner questionable. But it's Forebet's algorithm that truly bucks the trend, giving Charlotte a slim 52% shot at a home upset against the visiting Raptors. Given the Hornets' recent ability to punch above their weight, especially at home, and the attractive payout at 2.10, there's significant value in backing the underdog in what should be a closely contested affair.

The Toronto Raptors look well-positioned to secure a road win against the Charlotte Hornets. With a solid 21-15 record (10-7 away), the Raptors bring defensive consistency, allowing just 112.6 points per game. Their 1.77 favorite status is justified despite Jakob Poeltl's absence.

Charlotte's recent form is intriguing – they've gone 6-5 over their last 11 with notable upsets, and an impressive 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games. However, their frontcourt concerns with Plumlee out and Kalkbrenner questionable could be exploitable weaknesses.

While FOX Sports projects a tight 116-114 Toronto win and Forebet's algorithm gives Charlotte a slim upset chance, the overall metrics favor the Raptors. Toronto's road efficiency and Charlotte's 12-23 overall record tell the more reliable story. The Hornets' recent upset of the defending champions shows upset potential, but Toronto's consistency should prevail in what projects as a competitive but ultimately Raptors-controlled contest.

The Charlotte Hornets host the Toronto Raptors in a matchup that screams value for the underdog. With Toronto as road favorites at 1.77, their stingy defense—allowing just 112.6 points per game—positions them for a projected 116-113 win per DRatings. But Charlotte's recent surge, going 6-5 in their last 11 with upsets over OKC and Chicago, has them buzzing at home.

Injuries complicate the frontcourt battle: Raptors' Jakob Poeltl is out, while Hornets' Mason Plumlee sits and Ryan Kalkbrenner is questionable, potentially evening the paint war. Toronto's solid 21-15 record and 10-7 away mark contrast Charlotte's 12-23 overall slump, yet the Hornets are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10, hinting at betting value on the +110 line.

Forebet's algorithm gives Charlotte a 52% upset chance, bucking FOX Sports' call for a gritty Toronto cover in a 116-114 under. This feels like a trap game for the Raptors—I'll back the Hornets' momentum for a profitable home win, riding their ATS hot streak to defy the odds.

The Charlotte Hornets are buzzing with confidence after a shocking win over the defending champs, posting a 6-5 mark in their last 11 with notable upsets. Their home floor has been friendly, covering in 8 of their last 10 games.

Toronto's defense is a strength, but with center Jakob Poeltl sidelined, their frontcourt is vulnerable. Betting experts favor the Raptors, yet Forebet's algorithm gives Charlotte a 52% chance for an upset.

At 2.10, the Hornets offer enticing value against Toronto's 1.77 odds, making them a smart play given their momentum and the Raptors' injury concerns.

This matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors shapes up as a fascinating clash of momentum and defensive grit. The Raptors enter as road favorites with odds of 1.77, reflecting their strong 21-15 record and ability to limit opponents to just 112.6 points per game. However, the absence of Jakob Poeltl could weaken their interior defense, giving the Hornets an opening to exploit.

Charlotte, despite their subpar 12-23 overall record, has been a betting darling recently, going 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games. Their confidence is sky-high after toppling defending champs earlier this week, and they’ve shown they can hang with elite teams like OKC and Chicago. With Ryan Kalkbrenner questionable and Mason Plumlee out, their frontcourt depth is shaky, but their backcourt firepower might be enough to counter Toronto’s stingy defense.

The Raptors’ projected narrow win (116-113 or 116-114) suggests this game will be tightly contested. However, Forebet’s algorithm gives Charlotte a slight edge at 52%, hinting at potential value in backing the home team at 2.10. Given the Hornets' recent ATS success and the Raptors missing Poeltl, betting on Charlotte to pull off the upset feels like the smarter play here.

While Toronto remains the safer pick on paper, the odds and situational factors tilt this one toward the Hornets.